Here's what's making headlines in the political world on May 23, 2018:
Trump keeps up attacks on FBI, Russia investigation
-- President Trump Wednesday called the FBI’s alleged use of an informant implanted in his campaign “SPYGATE” and said it “could be one of the biggest political scandals in history!”
The president tweeted: “Look how things have turned around on the Criminal Deep State. They go after Phony Collusion with Russia, a made up Scam, and end up getting caught in a major SPY scandal the likes of which this country may never have seen before! What goes around, comes around!”
Look how things have turned around on the Criminal Deep State. They go after Phony Collusion with Russia, a made up Scam, and end up getting caught in a major SPY scandal the likes of which this country may never have seen before! What goes around, comes around!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 23, 2018
Trump then referenced a statement made by Judge Andrew Napolitano: “It’s clear that they had eyes and ears all over the Trump Campaign”
“It’s clear that they had eyes and ears all over the Trump Campaign” Judge Andrew Napolitano
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 23, 2018
He then added: “SPYGATE could be one of the biggest political scandals in history!”
SPYGATE could be one of the biggest political scandals in history!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 23, 2018
WITCH HUNT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 23, 2018
Last week, Trump publicly accused the FBI and the Obama administration of using an informant to infiltrate his 2016 campaign. He said if that were true, “that would be a disgrace to this country. It would be very illegal aside from everything else.”
Several media outlets, including The New York Times, have refuted the president’s claims. Many have reported the FBI used an informant to question Trump campaign aides about their contact with Russian officials.
After Trump made a demand on Twitter over the weekend to investigate the allegation, the Department of Justice’s inspector general was assigned to look into the matter.
Comey responds to Trump’s criticism of FBI
-- James Comey, the former FBI director fired by President Trump last year, took to Twitter Wednesday to defend the agency’s use of an informant as part of the Russia investigation.
Comey said: “Facts matter. The FBI’s use of Confidential Human Sources (the actual term) is tightly regulated and essential to protecting the country. Attacks on the FBI and lying about its work will do lasting damage to our country. How will Republicans explain this to their grandchildren?”
Dangerous time when our country is led by those who will lie about anything, backed by those who will believe anything, based on information from media sources that will say anything. Americans must break out of that bubble and seek truth.
— James Comey (@Comey) May 23, 2018
He followed up with: “Dangerous time when our country is led by those who will lie about anything, backed by those who will believe anything, based on information from media sources that will say anything. Americans must break out of that bubble and seek truth.”
Dangerous time when our country is led by those who will lie about anything, backed by those who will believe anything, based on information from media sources that will say anything. Americans must break out of that bubble and seek truth.
— James Comey (@Comey) May 23, 2018
Comey’s firing remains part of the special counsel’s overall investigation on possible obstruction of justice.
Trump to address gang violence in New York speech
-- President Trump is visiting New York Wednesday, where he is expected to speak on gang violence in the U.S. and specifically outline efforts to defeat the violent street gang known as MS-13.
Trump is scheduled to visit the Morrelly Homeland Security Center and deliver a speech at 11 a.m. Pacific time.
Last week, in response to a comment about MS-13, Trump described the gang members as “animals.” He later said he would continue to refer to them as animals.
On Monday, the White House published a fact sheet on its website titled “What You Need To Know About The Violent Animals Of MS-13.”
Last summer, Trump visited Long Island and spoke about the gang during a meeting with local law enforcement.
